Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere was shown a red card after being involved in a mass brawl during the under-23s match against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

Wilshere has yet to play for the Gunners in the new Premier League season, having spent the last campaign on loan at Bournemouth.

The 25-year-old - now fit again following his recovery from the fracture to his lower left leg suffered during Bournemouth's 4-0 defeat at Tottenham in April - was drafted into Steve Gatting's side on Tuesday night, along with fellow first-team squad players Rob Holding and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Wilshere had helped set up one of the goals as Arsenal were leading 4-1 during the second half before he was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from City midfielder Matthew Smith.

After getting to his feet, Wilshere squared up to Smith before pushing him in the chest.

The fracas then saw City defender Tyreke Wilson run to the centre circle to confront Wilshere, the two players grappling each other around the neck before further team-mates from each side became involved in shoving as tempers boiled over.

Once calm was eventually restored, the referee brandished the red card to both Wilson and Wilshere. Arsenal went on to win the match 4-3.

Wilshere was delighted to be back on the pitch and now aims to prove his fitness to England manager Roy Hodgson to be in with a chance of making the squad which travels to France this summer.

It's the best feeling. All those late nights and long days in the gym, this is when it really pays off.

You can do all the training, you can play for the under-21s to build your fitness up, but what really matters is playing for the first team and getting back on the pitch, so I'm really happy.

I felt good. In my first under-21s game, I didn't really feel that great. In the second I felt better and in the third I felt as though I was able to get through 90 minutes and have an impact on the game.

I spoke with the boss (Arsene Wenger) in the week, he felt the same and I travelled to Sunderland. It's a big week for me in training, getting fitter and sharper. Hopefully next weekend I can get some more game time and go from there.

I'm not saying that I'm there yet, this is just another step on my way to full recovery. There's a few games left and after that, hopefully I'll go away with England to the Euros. It's an exciting time.